It was lots of fun getting the degree (yes, lots of fieldwork and time in the pit and the lab) - but alas, the most exciting things I've found have been potsherds. One always dreams of buried treasure though ;)

I can hardly wait to join in more of the discussions, but I'm a bit shy so might hang back a bit.

at least in the Third Age (since technically, this is Middle-earth. One doesn't even have to dig at all to find a valuable ancient sword. All one has to do is run into the right trolls and not get eaten. Balrogs rule (literally)

My name is Thomas (AKA Thoromir), I'm 22 years old and I live in The Netherlands. I have been on this forum for quite some time now (several months up to a year I guess). Mainly to stay up to date on the upcoming films. But now I have an account:p I don't know if I'll be posting a lot; I'm not a real Tolkien-geek so to speak. My knowledge goes as far as the movies go (and a little bit further perhaps). I've read the Hobbit in English though, but that's all. So I try not to get cought up in hot discussions haha.

Becoming a de-lurker his a great decision. I lurked for far too long, and wish now I had joined in sooner. We've got a great community here all with varying backgrounds, so I'm sure you will have great fun here.

Hello all. First time poster here. Although I first read Tolkien's books (Hobbit, LOTR, and a few short stories) back in sixth grade (I'm now 29, egad I'm getting old), I've only recently really latched onto the series. I'd seen the movies when they came out in theatres, re-read the trilogy a time or three, but sometime during the last year it went from "that really great series I read every now and then" to "this is amazing why have I not been more into this?". It has a little something to do with the Norse influence in Middle Earth tickling my Heathen fancy. But it's more a greater appreciation for the depth of the characters and the immersive nature of Tolkien's world. Well, I guess that's enough text for a "hello" post.

Hi all, Steve here from Australia, long time fan of Tolkien's work, and more lately, Peter Jackson's! [:)]

Hoping to find out all sorts of stuff about the upcoming Hobbit Trilogy, I may even contribute stuff I find out about, and am planning a trip to New Zealand at the end of 2013 with a lot of the iconic places shown in LOTR and the THT on my list! [cool]

Hi! I'm Kristin and I'm an old newbie. It's been a bit since I've been on the boards, but I'm excited to be back. I have to say, the boards are way fancier now! I found TORN back when I first heard that LOTR was going to made into movies, and was around a lot through the release of trilogy and for a bit after. But then I had kids and had met several friends through TORN that I hung out with, so wasn't as active here. Now I've moved and the kids are older and I'm hoping to enjoy the excitement of the upcoming movies with people who do not think I'm nuts, and perhaps find new local Tolkien geeks to hang out with. Cheers!

Hi I'm brand new. Home from work sick today and love to disappear into Middle Earth when I'm sick (when I'm well too for that matter). I have lurked on here on and off and decided to join today because I want to talk to other people who love Tolkien's Universe like I do. Only one of my friends loves LOTR like I do and she doesn't like the books (WHAT???!!) so I have no one to share geeky discussions with about Tolkien.